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Goldschmidt headlines D-backs on All-Star ballot

4/17/13: Paul Goldschmidt drills a two-run shot to right field off CC Sabathia to stake the D-backs to a 2-0 lead in the first inning

By Steve Gilbert
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MLB.com |

SAN FRANCISCO -- D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has the respect of his teammates.

"He carried himself the right way from the first day he was here," veteran catcher Miguel Montero said.

The D-backs organization made a statement about how it felt about Goldschmidt by signing him to a five-year contract extension this spring.

"What's not to like?" manager Kirk Gibson said. "Everything he does [is great], from the time he gets to the park to the time he leaves every day. He's very good at preparation -- before, during the game and after. He's a great teammate. He works really hard. He has high expectations."

Baseball fans have a chance to show how much they think of Goldschmidt when they cast their All-Star Game votes this year.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via your mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Fans may submit twenty-five (25) online ballots during the voting period, but can also earn a one-time bonus of ten (10) additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 15.

The 2013 AL and NL All-Star teams will be unveiled on Sunday, July 7, on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show, televised nationally on TBS. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the All-Star Game Final Vote sponsored by freecreditscore.com on MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

In-stadium voting at Chase Field will run through June 19.

Second baseman Aaron Hill, who was a Final Vote candidate last year, is on the ballot along with his double-play partner, shortstop Cliff Pennington.

Martin Prado, who has shown his value to the D-backs by playing four positions already this year, is on the ballot at third base.

An example of how hard the injury bug has bitten the D-backs this year is that two of the three outfielders listed on the ballot -- Adam Eaton and Jason Kubel -- are on the disabled list.

However, right fielder Cody Ross has played well after missing the first week of the season and is looking for his first All-Star selection.

Fans can write in outfielder Gerardo Parra's name if they want. Parra has been an iron man in filling in for both Eaton and Kubel.

Meanwhile, Montero, who appeared in the 2011 All-Star Game at Chase Field, is looking to make the team for the second time in three seasons.